High-rise tenant who took spill to get $1M

Day Staff Writer

The New London Housing Authority has agreed to pay $1 million to a former tenant of the Thames River Apartments who slipped and fell in a puddle of urine on the stairway at the high-rise apartments.

Nicole Majette's case was the impetus for the class action suit brought on behalf of all tenants, according to her attorney, Robert I. Reardon. Majette, then 25, was living at the Crystal Avenue complex with her three children when she slipped and fell to the bottom of the stairwell in 2003. She fractured her right elbow, suffered nerve injuries and has chronic pain as a result of the injury, according to her attorney. Her doctors said she lost 80 percent of the use of her arm.

The lawsuit settled after two days of mediation with Judge Antonio C. Robaina.

Majette, who has moved to New York to live with her mother, could not be reached for comment. Housing authority officials were unavailable to comment Wednesday evening.

Reardon had commenced the lawsuit as a class action on behalf of all tenants who he said were living in squalid conditions at the apartment complex.

A Superior Court judge separated the class action from Majette's personal injury claim last year. Reardon said the class action suit, which seeks “adequate housing for all Thames River Apartment tenants” is proceeding.

He said a motion to dismiss the case has been denied, and depositions of housing authority officials have been scheduled.

”We are pleased that Nicole Majette was able to receive compensation for her very serious injuries,” Reardon said. “The compensation Nicole has received will help her to get further medical care for her serious injuries and provide for her family since she can no longer work.”